My name is Melinda Johnson and I suffered with foot pain for many years. I went to see a podiatrist and after an examination, I was told that I had heel spur syndrome. I followed the recommendations of my doctor by doing at home treatments along with physical therapy. I was amazed at how much these treatments helped my foot pain. Living with pain can have a big impact on your life and that's why I started this blog. My foot pain kept me from doing many things that I enjoy and I want to help others who are going through the same situation. As you browse through my blog, you'll learn about home treatments, medical procedures and new advancements in medicine that can help reduce pain. It is my hope that by writing this blog, you can live pain free too.
Loving My Pain Free Life
3 Signs You Need To See Your Doctor About Your Headaches
Claire Roberts
From fatigue and stress to dehydration and high blood pressure, the various causes of a headache are endless. While most people have experienced a headache at one point in time, the pain and discomfort of this common condition may be a sign of something more serious. Of course, visiting your primary care doctor each time you have a headache may seem silly. However, there are signs and symptoms that should signal your headaches could be a more serious issue. If you are experiencing one or more of these signs, it is time to consult your doctor about your headaches.
Throbbing Head
A throbbing, pulsing sensation in the head is one of the first signs of a migraine. Many people believe a migraine is the same as a basic headache, but they are very different experiences.
A standard headache may last a few minutes or hours, but a migraine can cause pain and discomfort for hours and even days at a time. A standard headache makes you tired and in need of rest, but a migraine can be debilitating to the point you are unable to work or complete daily tasks.
Here are a few other signs that you are having migraines:
- Mood changes
- Neck stiffness
- Vision loss
- Pins and needles sensation in hands, arms, or legs
- Difficulty speaking
- Ringing in ears or hearing noises that are not there
Over-the-counter medications may offer relief for standard headaches, but treating migraines may require a different medication that must be prescribed by your doctor.
Numbness
If your headache is causing certain parts of your body to feel numb, you should go to your doctor or the emergency room immediately. In most cases, a brain aneurysm's first symptom is severe head pain in between the eyes or in the back of the head.
A headache, numbness in various parts of your body, slurred speech, vision changes, and a drooping of the facial muscles are signs that you are having a brain aneurysm.
The causes of an aneurysm are unknown, since this rupture inside the brain can occur to anyone at any age. Thankfully, learning the signs and seeking medical care immediately will help save your life.
Fever
If you have a headache, consider taking your temperature. A temperature above 98.6 degrees is considered a fever, but a temperature of or over 100.4 degrees is a significant fever that should be addressed by your doctor.
A headache that is accompanied by a fever could stem from a variety of issues ranging from basic to severe and life-threatening.
If you have an infection of the sinuses or ears, you will most likely have pain and discomfort in the head and a fever. Antibiotic medications are usually sufficient for treating these infections.
Unfortunately, headaches and fevers could also be signs of something more severe.
A generalized headache and high fever are common symptoms of meningitis. While incredibly rare, meningitis is a bacterial inflammation of the brain membranes and spinal cord. Without prompt treatment, meningitis can cause severe pain and even death due to the spread of the bacteria.
CT scans and lumbar punctures are used to test the fluid of the spine for signs of bacterial inflammation.
A headache, fever, slurred speech, and confusion are symptoms of a brain abscess. This rare condition occurs when infected fluid builds up in the brain, placing pressure on the neurological system, causing pain and discomfort, and reducing your ability to complete simple mundane tasks.
Draining the fluid through surgery is imperative to prevent permanent brain damage.
A headache may seem like a minor issue, but it may be a sign of something more serious. If you are experiencing headaches with one or more of the above signs, it is time to consult your doctor.
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